DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 11, 2024

Famous Physicist Peter Higgs Passes Away at the Age of 94

Tags: Person in news

Peter Higgs commenced his teaching journey as a Temporary Lecturer in Mathematics at University College London, UK.

An Overview of the News

• In 1960, he relocated to Edinburgh and assumed the role of a Lecturer in Mathematical Physics at the Tait Institute.

• Progressing steadily, he ascended through the academic ranks, culminating in his appointment to a Personal Chair of Theoretical Physics in 1980.

• Upon retirement in 1996, he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh.

Awards and Honours:

• 2015: Royal Society's Copley Medal for his contributions to the theory of the Higgs boson.

• 2013: Nobel Prize in Physics, jointly with François Englert, for their theoretical discovery explaining the mass of subatomic particles.

• 2013: Appointed as Companion of Honour in the New Year Honours List for scientific achievements.

• 2013: Edinburgh Medal from the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the Nonino 'Man of Our Time' Prize.

• 2004: Wolf Prize in Physics shared with Robert Brout and François Englert.

• 1997: High Energy and Particle Physics Prize from the European Physical Society shared with Robert Brout and François Englert.

India's Jagjit Pavadia appointed Chairman of INCB

Tags: Person in news

1979 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Jagjit Pavadia won re-election to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for his third term from 2025 to 2030.

An Overview of the News

• Pavadia previously served two terms on the INCB: 2015–2020 and 2020–2025. Notably, she held the position of President of INCB from 2021 to 2022.

• Prior to his tenure at the INCB, Pavadia held several senior positions within the Government of India, including roles in the Central Narcotics Bureau as Narcotics Commissioner of India (2006–2012), Commissioner of Legal Affairs (2001–2005), and . Chief Vigilance Officer at Power Finance Corporation (1996–2001).

About INCB:

• The INCB, established in 1968 in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, acts as an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations (UN) international drug control conventions.

• Collaborating with governments around the world, INCB ensures adequate drug supplies for medical and scientific purposes while monitoring governments' control over chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs. Additionally, it helps prevent these chemicals from being trafficked.

About the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• ECOSOC is a primary organ of the United Nations.

• It addresses economic, social, cultural and health issues as well as human rights.

• ECOSOC monitors the UN's subsidiary bodies and ensures follow-up on major UN conventions.

• Paula Narvaez is the current president.

• Its membership includes 54 countries including India.

• Established in 1945

Simon Harris becomes the youngest new Prime Minister of Ireland

Tags: Person in news International News

Simon Harris, aged 37 and leader of the Fine Gael party, elected as the new Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland by members of the Dáil (Irish parliament).

An Overview of the News

• Officially installed as Taoiseach on 9th April 2024 after receiving the seal of office from President Michael D. Higgins.

• Succeeds Leo Varadkar, who resigned as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach in March 2024.

Key Points:

• Harris becomes the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Republic of Ireland.

• His tenure will extend until the general election scheduled for March 2025.

• Members of the Dáil voted 88 to 69 in favor of Harris as Taoiseach.

• The 3-party coalition government (Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party) has been in power since 2020.

• This marks the third change in Taoiseach within less than four years for the coalition government.

About Simon Harris:

• Elected as the youngest Teachta Dála (TD), a member of Dáil Éireann, in 2011 at the age of 24.

• Held ministerial positions in the Irish government since 2016.

National Maritime Day 2024: Sagar Samman Awards and Recognition

Tags: Awards

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) celebrated the 61st National Maritime Day (5 April 2024) with awards and recognition in the maritime sector.

An Overview of the News

• The event was held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra, organized by the National Maritime Day Celebrations (NMDC) Central Committee.

• Theme of the event: "Sustainable Shipping: Opportunities and Challenges."

Sagar Samman Award Winners:

• Sagar Samman Varun Award: Dhirendra Kumar Sanyal

• Sagar Samman Award for Excellence: Captain Kamal Kant Chaudhary

• Sagar Samman Award for Gallantry: Captain Subir Saha and Captain OM Dutta

NMDC Awards for Excellent Maritime Training Institutions and Recognition:

• During the function NMDC also announced awards for excellent maritime training institutions and recognition.

About National Maritime Day:

• It commemorates the inaugural voyage of the first Indian-owned ship "SS Loyalty" from Mumbai to London in 1919.

• 5th April is celebrated as an annual festival all over India.